Fall and Winter Lawn Care Tips

It’s that time of the year finally.   Cool season grasses are now starting to look their best again, while the warm season turf is starting to slow its growth and will soon be dormant for the winter. Here are a few tips to help optimize the results from our Dallas, Ga Lawn Care treatment program.

 

Lawn Care Dallas, GA - Fall Lawn Care

For best results, rememeber the 1/3 rule!

Bermuda / Zoysia Grass Fall Maintenance Tips

  • How should I be Mowing?    I’ve noticed over the years that its been a common misconception among a some in the area that they should be scalping their warm season turf at the end of the season.  This is not a good idea.  For the last cut of the season you should still continue to follow the 1/3 rule and be sure not to remove to much grass off at once.  Scalping the lawn before it goes dormant will potentially cause thin and damaged areas that will not recover until green up in the spring.  These weakened areas of turf could be prone to weed infestations. So, Mow at a normal height and try not to scalp the lawn over the fall or winter months.
  • Should I continue to water?  I recommend continuing to water the lawn atleast 1 inch per week in absence of rain even through the cool season, or atleast up until the point where you will have to winterize your irrigation system.  Thankfully we normally get plenty of rain through the late fall and winter months here in Dallas, Ga.
  • Weed Control –  Fall is the ideal time to apply a Pre-emergent weed control to prevent many of the problem weeds that can invade your lawn during the late winter and early spring months. Our round #6 and #7 pre-emergent treatments are vital parts of our Dallas, Ga Lawn Care Program that will ensure that weeds are minimized over the cool season.

Fescue Grass Fall / Winter Maintenance Tips

Lawn Care Dallas, GA

Fescue Lawn Care Dallas, Ga

  • Aeration and Overseeding?   If you haven’t aerated and overseeded your fescue lawn then you should think about doing it soon. There is only a small window of time to do this. Its recommened to get the seed out 3 weeks or so before the first frost for best possible results.  Late August through first week in October would be the ideal time for Aeration and Overseeding of your fescue lawn in Dallas, Ga.  Though, the sooner the better so don’t delay.
  • How should I be mowing?  Fescue should be cut at 3″ to 3.5 inches with a sharp blade.  During the cool season you can get away with cutting a little shorter than this if you prefer a tighter looking cut lawn.  Always remember the 1/3 rule.  It is best to never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one mowing.  This will ensure a much healthier lawn that is resistant to weeds.
  • Weed Control –  A post emergent weed control should be applied as needed for any  weed issues but no pre-emergent is necessary on fescue during this time as it most definitely would hinder any seeding efforts.
  • Winter Tip Burn   Its fairly common to see yellow on the tips of fescue during hard freeze or frost. This will grow out when the lawn starts growing again and the lawn is mowed. During frosts be sure to limit foot traffic as walking across a fescue lawn with frost in the early morning can potentially damage the lawn in the places walked on.

If you have any questions or concerns about your lawn and the maintenance practices over the fall and winter months please feel free to give me a call.  If your not already on our 7 step Dallas, Ga Lawn Care Program then feel free to get in touch for a free estimate and lawn evaluation. Its never to late or early to start to think about improving your lawn!

 

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